When Churches Close: What I Learned from Bob Smietana
As I wrapped up the first season of The Last Service Podcast, I found myself reflecting on my conversation with Bob Smietana, the veteran religion reporter and author of Reorganized Religion. If you've been following the podcast, you know this season has been all about exploring the realities of church decline, closures, and revitalization. Talking to Bob was the perfect way to close it out. His perspective is both sobering and hopeful—a balance I think many of us need as we grapple with the future of faith communities.
A Changing Landscape
One of the biggest takeaways from my conversation with Bob was how much the world has changed in just a few generations. Bob described it perfectly: his granddaughter was born into a world where there is no ethnic majority, where pluralism is the norm, and where "nones" (those with no religious affiliation) are the fastest-growing group in America.
Meanwhile, most of our churches were built for a completely different world—a time when nuclear families, neighborhood loyalty, and weekly church attendance were standard. As Bob said, "The conditions these churches were built for don’t exist anymore."
Hearing that felt heavy. But it also made so much sense. Many of the churches I've visited or spoken with aren't "dying" because of one big failure or scandal. They’re grappling with changes in the world around them that are far beyond their control.
The Emotional Toll of Closure
One of the most moving parts of our conversation was when Bob shared the story of his own church closing. He talked about the loss—not just of the building, but of a community that had meant so much to him and his family.
What struck me was how deeply connected we become to the places where our faith is nurtured. It's not just a building; it’s a sacred space filled with memories, relationships, and moments of growth. Letting go of that is painful.
Bob said something that stuck with me: “You always know churches are going to close, but you never think it’ll be yours.”
Whether you’re a pastor, a lifelong member, or someone who’s drifted away, it’s easy to take for granted that your church will always be there. When it’s not, the grief can feel overwhelming—like you’ve failed God, your community, or yourself.
Hope in the Midst of Change
But here’s where Bob’s perspective offered a glimmer of hope. He shared stories of churches that have found creative ways to reimagine their futures:
A struggling Lutheran church that partnered with a YMCA to share space.
A congregation that sold its building to fund a coffeehouse ministry and became a “dinner church.”
Churches that gifted their spaces to immigrant communities, ensuring their buildings continued to serve as places of worship.
These stories reminded me that closure doesn’t have to mean failure. Sometimes, it’s an opportunity to pass the torch, to make way for something new.
Bob put it beautifully when he said that the closure of his church wasn’t just an ending—it was a sending. Many of the people who were part of that congregation went on to serve in other churches or ministries, taking the spirit of their community with them.
If there’s one thing I hope this podcast season has accomplished, it’s showing that there’s a way to talk about these hard realities with grace. Thank you for listening to these first 24 episodes of The Last Service Podcast!
Here’s to the next season and the next chapter.
—Matt
